Autonomous Control

VideoRay CoPilot by SeeByte

Thanks to VideoRay's exclusive partnership with SeeByte, the leader in awareness control software for unmanned vehicles underwater systems, Pro 4 ROV systems now offer navigation, real-time monitoring, and DP (Dynamic Positioning) control to MicroROV users for the first time. This revolutionary upgrade simplifies and enhances the VideoRay user experience by allowing full automation on a level not available anywhere else in the Inspection Class ROV market. CoPilot provides effortless and automatic navigation to underwater locations all while following a pre-defined mission regardless of changing currents and rough sea conditions.

VideoRay CoPilot by SeeByte will dramatically shorten search-time and increase confidence that areas have been fully and accurately assessed. A pre-planned, computer-automated mission eliminates human error and ensures full coverage of the entire search area on the first time. The operator uses the CoPilot software to map out a flight path and the ROV begins following it at the operator's command. The computer controls the thrusters to manuever the ROV along the planned route, unless the operator decides to alter the route, pause the ROV, or fly to a target for a closer look. Paths can be saved and repeated, furthering shortening mission time.

With CoPilot, ROV operators can fully focus on the true task at hand, whether they are searching for drowning victims, recovering objects, inspecting vessels or tanks, or detecting explosives. Tank or vessel inspectors and crime scene investigators no longer need to worry about missing sections of their search areas – CoPilot leaves no stone unturned.

Despite the advanced technology incorporated into CoPilot, the Pro 4 remains as portable and easy-to-use as ever. A single operator can easily plan and conduct missions using the software's simple user-friendly interface. The lightweight ROV maintains its minimal power requirements and compact size, allowing for one-man deployment and retrieval of the ROV by hand using the tether as an umbilical - no cranes or winches necessary. Whether working in a potable water tank or inspecting the hull of a large vessel in rough seas, operators can begin reaping the benefits of CoPilot's capabilities on the very first mission.

VideoRay and SeeByte have developed two different CoPilot packages to accommodate different capabilities: Sonar CoPilot and RI (Reacquire Identify) CoPilot. Sonar CoPilot uses BlueView P900 series imaging sonar to locate, identify, and fly to targets while RI CoPilot relies on the Teledyne RDI Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) to provide real-time GPS position data. Each package provides autonomous control capabilities for any VideoRay Pro 4 system.

ABOUT SEEBYTE SMART PARTNERSHIPS »

SeeByte is at the leading edge of software solutions and data management for the subsea industry. From autonomous riser and pipeline inspections using AUVs and ROVs to state of the art Automatic Target Recognition for side-scan sonar in Mine Countermeasures, SeeByte's game-changing solutions are adding value to our customers' operations. SeeByte's ability to partner with other companies has been the key ingredient in making these solutions possible. To find out more about tailoring a solution to fit your needs with SeeByte, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The loaded VideoRay Pro 4 with Imaging Sonar and DVL can be launched and recovered by one person without the use of LARS (Launch and Recovery) systems.

3D rendition of RI CoPilot: ideal for Mine Countermeasure sorties, the submersible reacquires and identifies existing target coordinates, or autonomously flies to sonar targets clicked on by the operator.

3D rendition of a pre-planned survey route for a submerged structure inspection. Draw your route, click “go”, and let the submersible do the rest all while gathering your valuable inspection data.

VideoRay Sonar CoPilot by SeeByte with BlueView Target tracking and automation. Simply click on the target and the vehicle flys to it automatically.

Fly to a marker - point and click position, heading, and depth control via the VideoRay CoPilot by SeeByte software – know where you are, where you're going, and where you’ve been at all times. Image Credit: SeeByte

Pre-planned mission drawn and executed. The ROV autonomously runs the route. At any point the ROV can be re-routed with the click of a mouse or manually over-ridden by the pilot. Image Credit: SeeByte

VideoRay CoPilot by SeeByte Software interface displaying VideoRay ROV station keeping data – in this case the ROV held position in .5 m/s current with Longitudinal position accuracy of +/- 10 cm and Depth held accuracy of +/- 10 cm. Image Credit: SeeByte

The loaded VideoRay Pro 4 with Imaging Sonar and DVL can be launched and recovered by one person without the use of LARS (Launch and Recovery) systems.

3D rendition of RI CoPilot: ideal for Mine Countermeasure sorties, the submersible reacquires and identifies existing target coordinates, or autonomously flies to sonar targets clicked on by the operator.

3D rendition of a pre-planned survey route for a submerged structure inspection. Draw your route, click “go”, and let the submersible do the rest all while gathering your valuable inspection data.

VideoRay Sonar CoPilot by SeeByte with BlueView Target tracking and automation. Simply click on the target and the vehicle flys to it automatically.

Fly to a marker - point and click position, heading, and depth control via the VideoRay CoPilot by SeeByte software – know where you are, where you're going, and where you’ve been at all times. Image Credit: SeeByte

Pre-planned mission drawn and executed. The ROV autonomously runs the route. At any point the ROV can be re-routed with the click of a mouse or manually over-ridden by the pilot. Image Credit: SeeByte

VideoRay CoPilot by SeeByte Software interface displaying VideoRay ROV station keeping data – in this case the ROV held position in .5 m/s current with Longitudinal position accuracy of +/- 10 cm and Depth held accuracy of +/- 10 cm. Image Credit: SeeByte